By Isatou Fofana
The Ministry of Health and its partners and stakeholders last week joined the rest of the world to commemorate World No Tobacco Day.
The day is set aside to provide a platform for young people, policymakers, and tobacco control advocates to discuss the issue while urging the government to adopt policies and enforce regulations that will shield youths from the manipulative practices of tobacco-related products.
The theme for this year’s commemoration, ‘Protecting children from tobacco industry interference’ focuses on advocating for an end to the targeting of youth with harmful tobacco products.
The Regional Health Director for Western 1 Musa Camara, emphasises the need to reflect on the profound impact of tobacco on public health across various regions in the country region.
He said tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable diseases and deaths, thereby increasing health inequities among our most vulnerable populations.
Speaking on behalf of the WHO country representative, the Profession Officer for Health Promotion and Social Determinants, Momodou Gassama highlighted the critical importance of addressing the social determinants of health that drive tobacco use.
He noted that tobacco consumption remains one of the leading preventable causes of death and disease globally, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
He therefore underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to tobacco control that goes beyond personal behavior, focusing instead on the societal factors that contribute to tobacco use. This includes advocating for policies that minimise tobacco exposure, such as increased taxation, smoke-free public areas, and robust public health campaigns among others.
In his launch statement, the Director of Health Services Dr. Momodou Nyassi assured that the government of The Gambia is committed to fostering an environment that promotes wellness and encourages healthier lifestyles.
“We are dedicated to implementing comprehensive tobacco programmes, boosting public health campaigns, and working closely with stakeholders to advocate for policies that reduce tobacco availability and exposure”, he added.
Stakeholders from The Gambia Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance both spoke at length on the need for more stringent measures in tobacco taxation, and to implement higher taxes on tobacco products in the country. This he said can significantly reduce its consumption, particularly among youth and vulnerable populations.
The Director General of the Gambia Revenue Authority, Yankuba Darboe expressed his office’s commitment to enforcing tobacco tax policies that not only contribute to state revenue but also protect the health of the citizens.
He added that taxation is a proven strategy to deter tobacco use while decreasing demand, and generate revenue that can be reinvested into health promotion and disease prevention programmes.
According to reports obtained from the WHO, globally an estimated 37 million children aged 13-15 years use tobacco, and in many countries, the rate of e-cigarette use among adolescents exceeds that of adults.
